Electrolytic apparatus



June 11, 1940. A, 1 MacDOUGALL 2,204,506

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS Filed Dec. 17, 1937 :E 1 ynvevffpr J. MacDoUja-nATTY v electrolyte.

Patented June 1.1, )1940 PATENT "ori-lcs 2,204,506 ELECTROLY'IICAPPARATUS Archibald J. MacDougall,

Toronto Ontario,

`Canada, assignor to MacDougall Chemical Company, Toronto, Ontario,Canada, a. lirm composed oi' said MacDougall, David Rossand John v.Guibert .Applieauon neeemberiv, 1937, serial No. 180,265

3 Claims.

This invention relates to electrolytic cells adapted for theelectrolysis of aqueous solutions in which process Aat least one` of theproducts o! decomposition is a gas, such,` for example, as`

in the electrolysis of sodium chloride vfr the production of sodiumhypochlorite where hydrogen is given olf, and my object is to devsesasimplecheap and durable cell in which thedesired reaction can be rapidlyand `cheaply carried out without the occurrence of undesirable sec-vondary reactions.

I attain my objects by meansof a construction which may bebriefiydescrlbed as follows:

A tubular upwardlyoextending cell wall is provided of non-conductingmaterial such as glass'.

Positioned within the cell wall and substantially closely fitting theinterior of the wall are a pluralityof blocks of some conductingmaterial, such as carbon, which is substantially inert in the 2Opresence of the electrolyte' and the electrolytic products.

These blocks are held in spaced relationship rby suitable insulatingmeans and each has an axial opening ltherethrough so that electrolyte 2lmay flow seriatlm therethrough. A source of direct electric current isconnected to the end blocks of theseries so that the current passes.through the series of blocks and through 'the spaces between the blockswhich (are filled with Decomposition takes place and the composition ofthe electrolyte must be such that at least one ofthe products formed is'a gas. The gas is formed in small bubbles which coalesce to form] Illarger bubbles which vrise through the conduit formed -by .the openingsin the blocks and lift the electrolyte and the liquid products ofdecomposition to circulate them to and from a crock or container inwhich the' cell will usually be placed.

The gas electrolyte butalso interrupt, more or less, the continuity ofthe column of electrolyte and thus prevent current flowing directlythroughy said column from end block to end block without passing throughthe intermediate blocks.4

The invention is hereinafter more fully described and is.iliustrated inthe accompanying drawinginwhich i so Fig. 1 is a vertical section'vof .asingle cell constructed in accordance with my invention; and A Fig. 2 across section on the line 2 2 in Fig. 1. In the drawing like numerals ofreference indicate corresponding P5118 inthe different .figureslReferring to the drawing; I is a crock or conf'- bubbles not only serveto circulate the the container, as,v for example,l by resting on the 5ledges` 2 formed adjacent to the bottom of the container. The base ispreferably formed of carbon or other conducting material not affected bythe electrolyte and is formed with one or more openings 3a.` On thisbase thererests or is connected a glass tube 5 which is of someconsiderable length. Fitted within the tube are a series of blocks 6, 6aand 6b.. These blocks closely fit the interior of the glass tube. Theblocks are preferably made of carbon, though other conductive materialsinert in the presence of thel electrolyte might be employed'. The lowerblock l 6 is threaded or otherwise secured in the base 3.4 These blocks6, E, Ib are held in spaced relationship so that the electrolyzingcurrent will pass from block to block through the electrolyte. I show asspacers either glass pins I tted in holes inthe adjacent faces ofadjacent blocks or else a glass ringl separator as shown at la. Othernon-conducting materials inert in the presence of the electrolyte might,of course, 'be

employed.`

The carbon blocks are preferably about 3A" in length and l in diameterwhile the preferred spacing between the nearest portions of adjacent.blocks is substantially l", though these proportions may be variedwithin reasonable limits.l

The number of blocks employed will depend on the voltage of the currentused. With 110 v. current about sixteen gives good results.

Through each block is formed an opening `or passageway I0, preferablyabout 1A in diameter. These openings or passageways form a continuousconduit through which an `electrolyte mayllow [from the bottom of thecontainer I to the passageway I0 in the upper block 6b, which passagewayI 0 is preferably turned laterally as shown at 9.

,The glasstube 5 is formed with a laterally extending spout Swhichreceives the outow from the passageway I0 of the block 6". The dis- Theunderside of each block 6, it will be noted,

is formed with a conical concavity intended to rite, hydrogen gas isdirectfbubbles of gas and upflowing -liquid into' the openings extendingup through the blocks,

'I'he blocks and the openings therein are so arranged and proportionedthat the volume of the bubbles formed and travelling upthrough theopenings produces an insulation inthe electrolyte between the cellsformed by adjacent blocks and prevents direct passage of currentthroughout the length of the electrolyte in the conduit formed by theopenings. g

It is found that in order to prevent heat reactions, which reduceefciency, it' is desirable to cool the tube which is provided with the`jacket Il i'or that purpose. A coolingliquid may be circulated throughthe jacket by means of the pipes l2 and I3 preferably to keep thetemperature within the tube at or below 100 F.

The mode of operation of the cell. will be evident from theabovedescription.. A direct current of electricity passes through the seriesof Vblocks 6 and through the spaces between said blocks, which, ofcourse, are filled with electrolyte and, when a solution of sodiumchloride is 'being electrolyzed to produce sodium hypochloreleased.-Small bubbles of gas formed on the surfaces of the electrode blocks orin the electrolyte are collected by the concave bottoms off the lblocksand directed upwardly through the openings ID. The gas thus acts as alift and causes a rapid circulation of the electrolyteup Ithrough theconduit formed v by the openings Ill'and out through the passageway I0of the uppermostbloci: 6b and out through the spout 9 to fall into theJiquid in the container.

The process is continued until the sodium chloride is substantiallyconverted into sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen.

Itis found in practice that the speed of the series of electrolytespaces,

electrolytic action .is such that there is insumcient time for thesetting up of undesired reversed reactions. From the speed of travel ofthe electrolyte it follows also that cell heating is minimized andundesired secondary heat reactions are thereby prevented or minimized.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. In an electrolytic cell the combination o f an upwardly extendingtube of non-conducting material; a serieslof blocks' of conductingImaterial inert to theieiectrolyte and iitting closely within the tubearid held in spaced and nonconductive relationship to one another toform a each block having a central opening therethrough forming the soleconnection between the adjacent spaces, all of the openings beingsubstantially concentric with one another-so'that all the electrolyteows through each of the spaces consecutively.'4

v2. An electrolytic cell according to claim 1 in which the lower end ofeach block is formed with a conical concavity forming oa aring mouth tothe opening in the bloc 3. In an electrolytic cell the combination of acarbon base; a carbon rod secured to and e'xterminal; a tubedinan-conducting material extending up from'the base; conductingmaterial inert tothe 'electrolyte and fitting closely within the tubeand heldin spaced ving as an electrical terminal.

v ARCHIBALD J. MA'cDoUGALL.

tending up from the base forming an electric a series of blocks of andnon-conductive relationship to one another z hat all the electrolyteiiows

